Low serum sex hormone-binding globulin: Marker of inflammation?

BackgroundLow sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) is associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS), but its relationship with inflammation is unclear.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 696 subjects (255 men, 235 pre-menopausal women, and 206 postmenopausal women). Body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, lipid profiles, plasma glucose, insulin, FSH, LH, total testosterone (TT), estradiol, SHBG, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), and hs-CRP concentrations were measured. MetS was defined according to the updated National Cholesterol Education Program criteria with modification of waist circumference for Asians.ResultsSerum hs-CRP and SHBG were negatively correlated in men (r = − 0.29, p < 0.001), pre-menopausal women (r = − 0.38, p < 0.001), and postmenopausal women (r = − 0.27, p < 0.001). In men, TT and hs-CRP showed a negative association (r = − 0.25, p < 0.001), but the association was attenuated after adjusting for SHBG (r = − 0.14, p = 0.039). Multivariate regression models showed that SHBG was independently associated with hs-CRP in men (r = − 0.18, p = 0.009), pre-menopausal women (r = − 0.15, p = 0.025), and postmenopausal women (r = − 0.21, p = 0.005), adjusted for age, MetS components, insulin resistance, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and serum sex hormone levels.ConclusionsSerum SHBG and hs-CRP concentrations were inversely correlated in men, pre-menoposal, and post-menopausal women independently.

► Low sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) predicts development of metabolic syndrome.
► SHBG is inversely correlated to C-reactive protein independent to traditional risk factors.
► SHBG is a novel marker of metabolic and inflammatory statuses in both men and women.
► The role of SHBG in inflammation process needs further investigation.